Understanding Dementia: What Every Carer and Family Needs to Know

In this must-listen guide for families, carers, and professionals, Able to Care host Andy Baker is joined by Meghan Earle, Able Training’s passionate and experienced lead dementia trainer.

Together, they unpack some of the most important—but often misunderstood—questions about dementia:

• What actually is dementia?

• What are the early signs (beyond memory loss)?

• How do we communicate and engage meaningfully as dementia progresses?

• What systems and mindsets need to change to truly support people living with dementia?

With stories from training rooms and care homes across the UK, Meghan shares expert insights and real-life tips to empower carers with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

💙 Sponsored by:

Order your card todayDementia Forward – Support & Helpline

• Alzheimer’s Society – Types of Dementia

• Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge

• Able Training Dementia Courses

💡 Three Key Messages:

1. “It’s not just memory loss.” Dementia affects different parts of the brain—vision, language, personality, perception—and every person’s journey is unique.

2. “Distress is not a symptom—it’s a signal.” Aggression, withdrawal, and agitation often stem from unmet needs or environmental overwhelm—not the dementia itself.

3. “Connection matters more than correction.” Responding with empathy, not facts, is key. Join people in their world, honour their emotions, and meet them where they are.

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 – Welcome & Sponsor: Carers Card UK

• 01:10 – Meet Meghan Earle: Lead dementia trainer & lived experience

• 02:00 – What is dementia (really)?

• 03:30 – Why “just dementia” is never enough: the importance of diagnosis

• 05:00 – The problem with Google, misinformation & medical labels

• 06:45 – Understanding how dementia affects different parts of the brain

• 08:00 – Early signs of dementia beyond memory loss

• 10:00 – The emotional experience of diagnosis & stigma

• 12:45 – You are not alone: support systems that help

• 15:00 – Why meaningful engagement matters & what it looks like

• 20:00 – Behaviour, communication & the power of asking “why?”

• 25:00 – Mistakes carers make (and how to fix them)

• 30:00 – The “I want to go home” moment—what to say instead

• 36:00 – Escalation, distress & why prevention beats reaction

• 42:00 – Why care home environments need rethinking

• 47:00 – Dementia training: what makes it work?

• 52:00 – Don’t give up—there’s always something else to try

• 55:00 – Final thoughts: empathy, intention & learning together

🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?

This episode is essential for anyone supporting a loved one—or working with people—living with dementia. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding, greater confidence, and real-world strategies for:

✅ Communicating calmly and meaningfully ✅ Spotting distress and responding with care ✅ Accessing support before crisis hits ✅ Shifting from correction to connection

Whether you’re a carer, support worker, nurse, or family member—this is your practical and emotional guide to dementia care done right.

📲 Stay Connected:

• 🎧 Listen to more episodes: @AbleTraining 📲 LinkedIn: Able Training 📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast 🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk